Holden Caulfield and Borderline Personality Disorder

(Dalal Turki Alsharif)

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Abstract

This paper investigates the psychological state of Holden Caulfield, the narrator of J. D. Salinger’s (1919–2010) coming-of-age novel, The Catcher in the Rye (1951). The character faces an inability to effectively communicate with his social surroundings. His traumatic childhood renders him alienated and disaffected. This paper examines the psychological problems of Holden Caulfield, which are manifested through many symptoms that he displays throughout the novel. According to the medical references utilized in this research, these symptoms are categorized into interpersonal, affective, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. The analysis compares the symptoms, as identified by research in medical psychology, against Holden’s feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. Based on this examination, the paper finds that Holden appears to suffer from borderline personality disorder—a condition identified by an extended period of emotional irregularity. This analysis also considers the environmental factors surrounding Holden that contribute to the development of this disorder. This study contributes to the field of psychological criticism of literature and opens the door for further studies in this interdisciplinary territory.

KEYWORDS
Psychoanalysis, Salinger, twentieth century novel

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References

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